Counting and tabbing apparatus



SePt -'17,1929 A. BRoADMEYl-:R 1,728,327

.COUNTING AND TABBING APPARATUS Filed Nov. lO. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet l 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 17, 1929. A. BROADMEYER COUNTING AND TABBING APPARATUS Filed Nov. lo, 1926 NM NN@ 7 Y Erw@ O ll Jua.

A. BROADMEYER Sept. 17, 1929.

COUNTING AND TABBING APPARATUS Filed Nov. lO, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 SEP- 17, 1929- A. BROADMEYER 1,728,327

COUNTING AND TABBING APPARATUS Filed Nov. l0, 1926 5 Sheets-S1169? 4 gru/vanto@ lejmamgef Sept. 17, 1929. A. BROADMEYER COUNTING AND TABBING APPARATUS Filed Nov. lO, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 NNx ' 17 connected by arch bars 18.

Patented Sept. 17, 1929 NITE STATES PATENT OFFICE ALBERT yEEQADMEYER7 or nAnnrsnnne, PENNSYLVANIA, AssrGNon 'ro- TEE W. o.

HICKOK MEG. .00., E nArmisBUnG, PENNSYLVANIA, AconPoRA'rIoN or PENN- SYLVANIA ooUN'rING `AND TABBING AEPARATUS *Application -l-ed November 10, 1926. Serial No. 147,598.

'Thepresent invention relates to apparatus for. determining a` predetermined number of sheets and marking such number.

The object `is to provide an apparatus that is yentirely practical, and is provided with a marking or indicating mechanism of a novel character'.

TWO embodiments Aof the invention are disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure V1.is a side elevation ofone embodiment,

Figure 2 isa .view in elevation of the oppositeside to that .shown in Figure 1,

Figureis .a top planview,

Figure 4 is a detail .sectional View on the line 4.-..4 of Figure 3,

.Figure vr5 is avieivpartly in elevation and partly insection of the mechanism for severing a .strip to producethe tab,

.Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional ,view on the line6-f6-of Figure 5,

Figure? is a sectional view on .the line 7-7 of Figure 6,

.Figure 8vis aperspective view of the cam track of thepavvl actuating arm,

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 9 9 of Figure 1,

Figure 10 is a detail elevation of the detent-escapement for the `cutter-operating means,

Figure 11 is a detail perspective View of the tab support,

Figure 12 is an end elevation of the same,

Figure 13 is a side elevation of a modified form of construction,

Figure 14 is a top plan view of the same,

Figure 15 is a vievv in elevation of the escapement detent` employed in this embodiment,

Figure 16 is a detail sectional view on the line 16-16 of Figure 14.

In the embodiment disclosed, a suitable frame is employed, comprising side Dlates This frame is adapted to be mounted on the frame of any Well-known type of apparatus for operating on sheets, for example, a ruling machine, and is so disposed that the sheets Will pass longitudinally of the side bars. Thus in Figure .1, there is indicated a portion of a conveyor 19, on .which sheets are successively transported.

At one, end of the.fra1neuprght standards 20 .support a spindle 2 1, on which is mounted l a.drum22 thatcarries a ,strip of paper, indicated at 23.. This strip of ,paperwis carried about an idler 4rol1er24, `and between a-loiver grooved roller and an upper roller 26,'having aperipheral-tongue 27. that operates in the groove of the .roller 25. After passing between theserollers, theistrip slides on a runway 28supported ononc `side. of the frame, and thence to -a cutter designated generally by the .reference numeral 29. This cutter ,-may 4be considered a numberdetermining member, as hereinafter more fully explained.

A drive shaft '30 is journaled transversely on the frame,and.is provided witha pulley 31by Whic-hit may be driven yfrom any suitable sourceof power. Looselyjournaledon said drive shaft is the hub 32of-cam-83. The cam has a friction yclutch .connection with the shaft 30. This connection, as shovvnniore particularly in Figure :4, preferably consists of a threaded sleeve .3.4 fixed to the shaft 30 by aset screw, having a pair of tension nuts 36 screwedfthereon. A collar 37 slidableon'the sleeve'is located adjacent-.to the cam 33, .and afriction disk 38 i-siinterposedrbetween the collar and the cam. A. coiled spring 39 is located on the sleeve, and is interposed betweenthecollar 37 vand the vnuts .36, thus :serving to vyieldingly urge the :friction diskagainst the side face of the cam. The tension. of this spring is of course varied by adjusting the nuts 36. The cam, as shown i-n Figure 5, operates against a roller .40 carried by a crank arni41 that is mounted` onta rockshaft 42 carrying. another crank arm 43, the par-ts 41, 42 and 43 constituting in effect a 'bellcrank Referring n oW to the cutter 29, yas shown indetail in Figures, 6 and 7, yit will be noted that a ledger Abar V44has spaced upstanding guide posts 45 on .which reciprocates a cutter bar 46. Adjustably secured to ythis cutter bar by a bolt 47, is a cuttingblade 48, vthat co- Oplts with theledgeribar44to seventh@ strip 23 that passes over the runway 28 between such ledger bar 44 and cutter blade 48, when the blade is in its elevated position. This elevation is secured by coiled springs 49 mounted on the posts 45 beneath the head 46. As shown in Figure 5, the free end of the arm 43 has a roller 50 that operates o n the upper end of the head 46. With this arrangement, it will be evident that as the cam 33 is rotated, its high part, shown in Figure 5, upon each complete revolution, will cause a depression of the bell crank 41-42, 43, and thus depress the cutter, severing a section from the strip 23, as shown in Figure 5, this section constituting a tab.

The movement of the cam 33 is, however, controlled, and the following mechanism 1s employed for that purpose. The hub 32.0f the cam is provided with a wheel 51, which as shown in Figure 10, is provided with five peripherally projected teeth 52, though the number ma be altered, as desired. Cooperating with these teeth is a detent escapement, which consists of an arm 53 pivoted on the frame as shown at 54, and having a detent terminal tooth 55 adapted to drop behind the successive teeth 52, and when in this position, it obviously vholds the wheel and the cam against rotation with the shaft 30. An over-throw-preventing pawl 56 is mounted on the arm 53, and has a hooked terminal 57 that moves into the path of a tooth when the detent tooth 55 moves out of engagement with a tooth. This, it is thought, will be evident by a comparison of Figures 2 and 10. A spring 58, engaged with the arm 56, serves to urge the tooth 55 into the path of the teeth 52. The pivot 54 for this detent escapement is in the form of a rock shaft, one end of which carries the said detent escapement; the other end extends through one of the side bars 17, and has fixed to its outer end, and as shown vin Figures 1 and 10, a crank arm 59. This crank arm has a bearing projection 60 adapted to be engaged by a cam tooth 61 on a wheel 62 suitably carried by a shaft 63 journaled in the frame.

Also fixed to the shaft 63 is a ratchet wheel 64 that is given a step-by-step movement by means of a pawl 65 operating thereon. This pawl is carried by a swinging arm 66 journaled on the shaft 63, and its rearward movement is determined by a stop screw 67, all as shown in Figure 1. Pivotally connected to the free end of the pawl-carrying arm 66, is a reciprocable actuating arm 68. The free portion 69 of said arm is connected to the pivoted portion by a leaf spring 70, which thus permits said portion 69 to have a yielding lateral movement. The rear side of the portion 69 of the actuating arm is provided with a shoulder 71. The front end of the drive shaft 30 carries a wheel 72, provided with an outstanding pin 73 and the shoulder 71 of the arm 69 is so disposed that while it is normally out of the path of the pin 73, by swinging said arm inwardly, it will be brought into the path of the pin 73 and the arm is thus drawn forwardly. The consequence is that the pawl 65 is moved in a corresponding direction and being engaged with a tooth of the ratchet wheel, will give a partial rotation to the said wheel, and consequently to the wheel 62. The return longitudinal movement of the arm 69 is secured by a coiled spring 74, connected to the rear end of the said arm and the arm 66. The arm 69 is slidably supported on a pin 75 projecting from the frame, and its outward movement is limited by a stop 76 that overhangs it.

Directly beneath the free end of the arm 69 is a carrier roller 77, over which the sheets pass and on which they are supported. Coacting with this carrier roller is a strip or calipering device vin the form of a. swinging cam 78. This cam is pivoted, as shown at 79, on a swinging arm 80 that is pivoted, as illustrated at 81, to the side frame. The arm has a rearward extension 82 borne against on one side by a spring 83 and engaged on its opposite side by an adjusting screw 84. By adjusting said screw 84, it will be evident thatl the cam 78 of the trip can be moved away from or toward the roller 77, and thus its position adjusted, according to the thickness of the sheet that passes over the roller. This trip has an upstanding arm 85 carrying an adjustable counter-weight 86, and it also has an upstanding finger 87 that is adapted to ride against a cam track 88 carried by the free end of the arm 69. By referring to Figure 8, it will be noted that this cam track 88 is in the form of a spring secured at its outer end on a block 89 fastened to the outer side of the arm 69, thus providing a space behind the cam track.

The feed rollers 25-26 for the strip in this embodiment, are shown as being rotated from the shaft 63. To this end, as illustrated in Figure 3, the inner end of said shaft 63 has fixed to it a gear wheel 90, while the shaft of the lower feed roll 25 has on its inner cud a` gear wheel 91. Connecting these two gear wheels is an intermediate idler gear 92 mounted on a spindle 93 that is adjustable in an arcuate slot 94 formed in the side bar frame 17. The mounting 93 thus permits the use of gear wheels 92 of different diameters in order to change the speed of the feed roll 25 and thus vary the amount of strip that is fed from the drum between each severance.

The free end portion of the strip 23 that is passed througl'i the cutting mechanism is, until severed, supported on a track 95, shown in detail in Figures 1l and 12. This traeky-.as-iillustrated:.inifrFigure 1,7, extends from a 'pointxfdirectly. adjacent gto, the4 cutter rearwardlyand.'upivandlyf and tis graduallyv Widenttovardsgiits;rear-Venda It is provided with a Il dow-nturned: 'flange'96J along i its y outer.;

wards Lits-flowerend, and hassaidloiver end.-

set-1. fata steeper linclination.-ethan saidrear end.; It! :will ibe fnoted by.- reference- .to Fig,

ure; 3f: thatl this support. is: locatedIat the y rearfof f the Veuttino'unechanism and it will also be notedgbyareferenceto lli-tures1 1L andA 5 thatla.n resserfinjofereorpy latetQT-"iscarried byY the cutter and ,operatesl .ingfront 1;of the.V

Seen-recited Ofthesuphort,

The' .operationofthe `dev-ice. is :as follows:

ltwwill beyunderstoodfthat the :drivi-ng.;- shaft-A 30yis :continuously vro-tatedfgand lthat 1 sheets toY ybe counted and tabbed v are carried. :by

any 'suitable' means successively7 over the roller 47T,- Asthe!l front .end of each sheet movesv over ,the `roller",v its `umper surface will l en gagievtlieftrip *cam-5.75, sor-that said cam will l, be swung in the direction`r .of vthe arrow in= Figure 1. Thefconsequenee is that the Lupper ingerf?. will' -ridetagainstthecam track S8, andv thus.. sivingy'pthe yarm 69 rearwardly, so that-.itsfshoulder 7 1y is brought intothe path of@thesrotating.-pini-73. `The result; is thats,` the-arm (l-evithtits Connection 70@ and 68,l is .moved longitudinally, thereby turning the pawl 65 :andgivingsthe' ratchet Wheel 64 an Vincrementi of molvementv The= longitudina-lfmovenientof thfeyarmgbythe pin 73 carriesfthercam, track 88 lbeyond thefinger 87., and vifrthe5a1 nr.dofes lnot.moverbacl`- quieklyvenough it*` can.iswing-toutivardlyx so that .when git re-turns the upper end. of the finger 87 isbehind..the-camwrack :and can thus advancefto= v its initial position-for anothermovementbya sueeeedingtsheets It will thus be vevident v thata the vvheel 62 is given a -step-bystep rotation,vk .and on. A- each com-plete@ rotationj itsltooth 61 vvill operate.v

against: the-tooth (S0-.of the detentescapement llVhen i, the eseapementfistthus moved to thefl position ;;sh.ovzn in Figure 10, theVA frictionI clutch 33-,3911tbetween the drive shaft30and the camwvheoll will permit arrincrementfof movementiof said, tvheel.

Upon a -complete.movenrent.-.of the Wheel 51,

be-movedto. a position to Ydepress the cutter. During these yvarious -zprelim-inary movement-s prior to the operation of the eutter,

and fout on Ato. thesupporting plate v595this, str-1pl being lcreased by. thertongrue and vgroove 1 tionEen'saideplatey 95AQ yllVhen severance takesA place, ,thejffseveredf `sect-ion becomes-fra tab,

ande vits A-frear.; portion :is-sdepressedl by=gthey f"- tlfsegf QbfSQthetxSaid end drops :downwardly the number dependingr yonthe.vteeth ofthe Y ratehetffvvheelll, and the teeth on-.the .detent Wheel 51. For example, if the ratchety Wheel is-provided With fty teeth and the detent' Wheel-1 with `five teeth; two vhumlred and fifty sheets i will be--deposited between Y eaeh tab.v

It .sometimes happens that it'fis desi-red to marl@ a-Amuch smaller numberl or variable numbers -of sheets. Under such circum-V stances, the modified embodiment illustrated in Figures 13, 1e and 15 may beiemployed. In orderto avoid-needless repetition,V all the partsr corresponding toA those,- above described have .been o'iven-thesame reference numerals.

Instead: of a detentoperating Wheel-62 with a single tooth, an endless@sprocket' chain 98. may-beemployed, said sproeketchain passingfarounda sprocket Wheel 62?t .usedinstead.. ofthe above mentioned-toothed Wheel- 62.

The sprocket chain also passesaround an vup,- per; idlersprocket-Wheel 99 adjustably supported on .a zstandard 1100 carried by the.;- framef. Suitably mountedonthis'chain are.

teeth 61a, Which may be rplaced as near together or as far apart as-desired. In fact but onemaybe utilized, in Which-case of course a large `number of sheets can be passed before f a-tab isap-plied. f The operation of this de.- viee, itwillbeevidentris precisely the same asfthe first mentioned embodiment, for Whenever a tooth 61a engages the tooth 60 of the actuating farmf), the kdetent is released and ifithere is butone tooth on the detentwheel 51'anoperation of thecutter is permitted Under: such eircumstatnces, it Willbe evident thatif there isanoperationafter the passageof-a small-number of sheets, -a sulficient amount of the tab strip may not have been-advanced to f produce a proper length ofitabt, Means are: therefore provided .for feeding-alongerstrip on.each operation of the detent escapement. To this-end the low-- er `roller Qfis, in .the presentr embodiment mounted on a shaft 101 and loosely journaled on saidshaftx isa threaded sleeve 102, to`

which is'fiXed a gear Wheel 103y that isoperated through a awtrain of. gears 104C from a.- i; gear 105ffixed- -to .the drive shaft 30.' A,

spring-.pressed friction` collary 106; operates against a friction disk 107' thatiin turn presses against the; l flangerv 108 of a t, hub i 109 fixed totheshaft10,1.and this hub 10,9fearries a Wheel- 11@ vprovided With a stop shoillderlll.v

The detent, as shown in Figure 15, has an arm 112 provided with a terminal tooth 113 that lies in the path of the shoulder 111. Consequently while the sleeve with its friction collar 106 is constantly rotating, the shaft 101 is stationary. Vhenever the detent is operated, however, the tooth 113 is withdrawn from behind the shoulder 111 and the shaft is rotated through the friction clutch, thus running off sufficient of the strip to produce a tab that will be cut off on the succeeding operation.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, Without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without-departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

What I claim, is

1. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a number determining' member, of a rotatable driving member, a constantly operated actuating device for the number determining member having a clutch connection with the driving member, a member for normally holding the actuating device against movement bythe driving member through said clutch, and means controlled by the articles to be counted for periodically operating the member to permit the driving member to operate the actuating device through said clutch and thereby to operate the number determining member.

2. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a number determining member, of a constantly operating rotatable driving member, an actuating device for the number determining member having a friction clutch connection with the driving member, a pawl for normally holding the actuating device against movement by the driving member, and means controlled by the articles to be counted for periodically operating the pawl to permit the driving member to operate the actuating device and thereby to operate the number determining member.

3. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a number determining member, of a constantly rotated drive shaft, a rotatable actuating device for the member mounted on the shaft and having a friction clutch connection therewith, a swinging escapement pawl that engages the device to hold it against rotation by the shaft, and mechanism controlled by the articles to be counted, for periodically swinging the escapement to permit the shaft to operate the actuating device.

4. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a number determining member, of a drive shaft, a rotatable actuating cam for the member mounted on the sha-ft and having a friction clutch connection therewith, a lever operated by the cam and operating the number-determining member,

Asaid actuating cam having a plurality of teeth, a swinging escapement member having a holding pawl and an overthrow preventing pawl that alternately engage the teeth, and mechanism controlled by the articles to be counted for swinging the escapement member and permitting the cam to be intermittently moved by the shaft.

5. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with an article operated trip and means for moving articles successively past the same, of a number determining member, actuating mechanism for the number determining member, a controller for the actuating mechanism of the number determining` member, and means for operating the controiler, said operating means comprising an actuating member and an actuated member relatively movable into and out of engagement, and means operated by the trip for relatively moving said members.

6. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with an article operated trip and means for moving articles successively past the same, of a number determining member, actuating mechanism for the number determining member, a controller for the actuating mechanism of the number determining member, and means for operating the controller, said operating means comprising a rotary actuating member, an actuated member movable into and out of the path of a portion of said rotary member, and a device operated by the trip for moving the actuated device into said path.

7. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with an article operated trip and means for moving articles successively past the same, of a number determining member, actuating mechanism for the number determining member, a controller for the actuating mechanism of the number determining member, and means for operating the controller, said operating means comprising a rotary actuating member, a yielding actuated member normally out of the path of the actuating member but movable into said path, and a device operated by the trip for moving the actuated device into said path and then allowing it to again move out of said path.

8. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a sheet carrier and a swinging trip that is engaged and swung by the sheets on said carrier, a number determining member, and mechanism for e'ecting its actuation including a rotatable actuating member having a tooth, an actuated member that is movable into the path of the tooth to be moved thereby and having a cam, and a finger carried by the trip and operating on the cam when the trip is'swung yto move the actuated Vinem-ber into the lpath of kthe tooth.

9. In apparatus ofthe character set forth, the combination with a sheet carrier and a swinging trip that is engaged and swung by the sheets on said carrier, a. number determining member and mechanism for effecting its actuation including a rotatable actuating member having a tooth, a longitudinally rel' ciprocatory actuated member having a lateral movement-into the path of the tooth, and means-operated by the trip for laterally moving. the actuated' member.

10. In apparatusfof the character set forth, the |combination with a sheet ycarrier `and a swinging trip-thatis engaged and swung by the sheets on said carrier, a number determining member and mechanism for effecting itsv actuation, including a rotatable actuating member having a tooth, a longitudinally reciprocatory actuated member having a lateral movement into the'path of the tooth, one end of said actuated member adjacent the actuating'member having a cam, and a finger carriedby the trip and operating against the cam to laterally move the actuated member.

il. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a number determining member, .of an actuating device therefor, a movable controlling member for the actuating device, a device for priodically moving the controlling member, and means controlledv by the articles to be counted for giving a step by step movement to the controlling member moving device, said moving device having a predetermined number of step-by-step movements between its operations of the controlling member.

i2. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a number determining member, of an actuating device therefor, a movable controlling member for the actuating device, a cam for periodically moving the controlling member, and means controlled by the articles to be counted for giving a step-by-step movement to the cam.

i3. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a number determining member, of an actuating device therefor, a movable controlling member for the actuating device, a cam for periodically moving` the controlling member, a ratchet wheel for moving the cam step-by-step, a pawl for operating` the ratchet wheel, a rotary actuating device, a pawl moving member having a portion movable into and out of the path of the actuating device, and a trip operated by the articles to be counted and having means for moving the pawl moving member into the path of the actuating device.

14. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with a number determining member, of an actuating device therefor, a movable controlling member for the actuating device, a cam for periodically movi-ng the controlling member, a ratchet wheel-for moving the lcam y-step-by-step, a pawl for operatingthe ratchet wheel, a rotary actuating device, a longitudinally movable arm connected tothe pawl for moving it, said `arm-being laterally movable into and outof the path of the actuating device, and a `tripbperated by the' articles `to be counted and having a finger for moving the arm laterally into said path.

15. In apparat-us =of the character .set forth, the combination with a number determiningmembeiyof a bell crank having one arm operating on-the4 number determining member, acamfor operating on the other arm, a shaft 'on'which'Jthe cam is loosely mounted, a friction clutch between'the shaft andfcam, a toothed wheelfixed to the cam, an escapement member cooperating .with the toothed wheel for ypermitting its and the camsperiodic movement, a cam element for periodically operating the escapement member, a ratchet wheel foreifectingt'he movement of the cam element, a pawl operating on the ratchet wheel, a toothed wheel fixed to said shaft, an armconnected to the pawl and movable into` and out of the path `of the tooth of the wheel, a sheet carrier, a trip moved bythe sheetson the carrier, anda finger moved by the trip and operating the arm to move itinto the path of the tooth.

16.111 apparatus of the character set forth, the combination with sheet carrying means, of a-cutter, means for advancing a strip ,throughlthe cutter and kabove the path of the sheets, means for actuating the cutter,

ymechanism includinga deviceengaged and actuated by the successive sheets, for operating thev cutter to sever a section of the strip l when ;a predetermined number have passed, and means for depositingthe severed sectionv at a downward inclination so .that a succeeding sheet will becaused .to slide over such section. i r

v1"?In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination withsheet carrying means, of a cutter, means for advancing a strip through lthe cutter and above the path ofthe sheets, a support for the free `end of the `advanced strip', and mechanism, including a -tdevice 'engaged and actuated by the successive sheets,fo-r operatingV the cutter to sever the sectionA of thestrip advanced therethrough, said support permitting the severed end to vdrop 4Iii-st.

18. In apparatus of the-character set forth, the, combination with sheet carrying means, of 'a strip carrying drum, la :strip cutter, coacting `feed rollers for =advancing the strip from the drum past thecuttena drive shaft, a cutter actuating cam having a friction clutchl connectionwith the drive shaftaa detent for holding the `camagainst movement by the shaft, a cam element for moving the detent, a ratchet Wheel connected Vance the strip While the cutter is inactive,

and means for 'causing the section of t-he strip severed by the cutter to drop upon the last of a predetermined number of sheets that have actuated the trip.

' 1-9. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with article carrying means, of a driving member, a number-determining device, means driven by the driving member for operating the numberdetermining device, a controller for holding said means inactive, an actuating device for moving the. controller to a position to permit the driving member to Operate the number-determining member, an element for intermittently moving the actuating device, and means actuated by the article carried by said carrying means for intermittently connecting the element to the driving member.

20. In apparatus of the character described, the combination With a` main rotatable driver, of a movable number-determiningY member, means for causing the main driver to operate the number-determining member, mechanism for normally preventing the main driver from actuating the number-determining member, an article conveyor, means actuated by articles on the conveyor for causing the main driver to operate the mechanism and permit said main driver to actuate the number-determining member after a predetermined number of articles have been conveyed by the conveyor.

2l. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a number-determining member, of a main driver, an article conveyor, and mechanism for eecting the operation of the number-determining member, including an actuating member that detachably engages the main driver, and a device in the path of the articles onthe conveyor and operated thereby to move the actuating member into position to be moved by the main driver.

22. In apparatus of the character described, the combination With a numberdetermining member, of a rotatable main driver having a crank element, an article conveyor, and mechanism for effecting the operation of the number-determining member including an actuating member having a back and forth movement, said actuating member being movable into and out of the path of the crank element to be moved thereby, and a device actuated by the articles on the conveyor for moving the actuating member into the path of the crank element.

23. In apparatus of the character described, the combination With a strip cutter, of means for feeding a strip past the same, a conveyor for articles, a device successively operated and having its operation controlled by the articles carried by the conveyor, a second device capable of successive operations and having its operation controlled by a predetermined number of 0perations of the first device, and actuating means for the cutter that is operable to move the cutter after a predetermined number of operations of the second device.

24. In apparatus of the` character described, the combination with a strip cutter, of means for feeding a strip past the same, a conveyor for articles, a main driver, a device adapted to be successively operated, means actuated by the articles on the conveyor and successively connected to the main driver for moving said device, a second device operable by the main driver, mea-ns actuated by the first device upon a predetermined number of movements thereof to permit the actuation of the second device by the main driver, and means driven by the main driver and operating the cutter on a predetermined number of movement-s of the second device.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature.

ALBERT BROADMEYER. 

